Retreat for Emerging GLBTQ Writers
Donation protected
I attended Lambda Literary's Writing Retreat for Emerging GLBTQ Writers last summer. I was in the "Genre" workshop for Graphic Novelists and YA writers. This summer I have the opportunity to return to study under my literary hero Benjamin Alire Saenz. I have personally given Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe to several of you. Saenz has the most beautiful and honest writing I know of today. That is the direction I want to go in my own writing.
But, I can't afford to go. I lost my job on monday, and I can't even afford to keep my apartment.
Last year when I asked for help getting to this retreat, someone asked, "what have you ever done to help make the world a better place?" I've thought about that a lot this year.
The answer is: "probably nothing." Many, but not all of you, know that I came from a very abusive home. For about ten years, I tried to work with foster and at-risk youth, but the work chewed me up emotionally. For four years, I kept a blog about child abuse, but I don't think it actually raised awareness, so I stopped. I can't think of a single thing I've contributed in the past year and a half to help make the world a better place.
I read about the young woman who could not get justice when the young man was actually caught in the act of raping her. And the Orlando massacre that specifically targeted Queer Latinos. And it weighs on me that I don't know what to do. That most of the people in my parish don't even know I'm part of the queer community.
But the only thing I really do have to contribute is my writing. The novel I'm working on is about a young woman who grows up in an abusive family and runs away after being raped. It's about sexuality and gender and how sexual violence impact these things. I've been working on this book for a very long time, but I want to finish it and send it out into the world. Maybe it will help someone.
In order to attend the retreat, I need to raise another $800 by July 15th. If you feel that you can contribute, it would mean a great deal to me.
(The photo and video are from last years retreat. The reading is a scene from this novel.)
But, I can't afford to go. I lost my job on monday, and I can't even afford to keep my apartment.
Last year when I asked for help getting to this retreat, someone asked, "what have you ever done to help make the world a better place?" I've thought about that a lot this year.
The answer is: "probably nothing." Many, but not all of you, know that I came from a very abusive home. For about ten years, I tried to work with foster and at-risk youth, but the work chewed me up emotionally. For four years, I kept a blog about child abuse, but I don't think it actually raised awareness, so I stopped. I can't think of a single thing I've contributed in the past year and a half to help make the world a better place.
I read about the young woman who could not get justice when the young man was actually caught in the act of raping her. And the Orlando massacre that specifically targeted Queer Latinos. And it weighs on me that I don't know what to do. That most of the people in my parish don't even know I'm part of the queer community.
But the only thing I really do have to contribute is my writing. The novel I'm working on is about a young woman who grows up in an abusive family and runs away after being raped. It's about sexuality and gender and how sexual violence impact these things. I've been working on this book for a very long time, but I want to finish it and send it out into the world. Maybe it will help someone.
In order to attend the retreat, I need to raise another $800 by July 15th. If you feel that you can contribute, it would mean a great deal to me.
(The photo and video are from last years retreat. The reading is a scene from this novel.)
Organizer
Pam Watts
Organizer
Berkeley, CA